Samsung Electronics Loses Nearly 1 Million Retail Shareholders in One Year

Samsung Electronics, often called Korea's "national stock," has seen its retail shareholder count drop by nearly 1 million over the past year, as individual investors appear to have cashed in on the stock's rebound.

According to Samsung Electronics' annual business report disclosed on the 10th, the company had 4,195,927 retail shareholders as of the end of December last year. This represents a decline of approximately 960,000 from 5,160,210 at the end of 2024.

The number of shares held by retail investors also decreased. During the same period, retail holdings fell by about 81.96 million shares, from 4,073,349,914 to 3,991,480,867. As a result, retail shareholders' stake relative to total issued shares dropped 2.19 percentage points, from 68.23% to 66.04%.

The decline in retail shareholders appears closely tied to share price movements over the past year. In the second half of 2024, Samsung Electronics common stock averaged 84,383 won in July before falling to 54,035 won in December, showing persistent weakness. In contrast, the second half of 2025 saw a clear rebound, with the average price rising from 65,087 won in July to 108,724 won in December.

Notably, the highest price for common stock in December 2025 reached 119,900 won—more than double the December 2024 peak of 56,100 won. Analysts interpret the shareholder decline as individual investors who entered during the downturn taking profits during the recovery.

Samsung Electronics is also strengthening its shareholder value policies. As of the end of 2025, the company held 105.43 million treasury shares, of which approximately 87 million are slated for cancellation in the first half of this year. Based on the day's closing price of approximately 190,000 won, this represents a value of roughly 16 trillion won.

Samsung Electronics had previously announced a 10 trillion won share buyback plan in November 2024, and in February last year cancelled the entire 3 trillion won worth of shares acquired in the first phase.

The company is also expanding stock-based compensation in its employee reward system. Samsung Electronics piloted an option allowing executives to receive performance incentives (OPI) in stock rather than cash in 2024, and extended this to all employees starting last year.

Meanwhile, Samsung Electronics shares closed trading on the day at 187,900 won, up 8.30% from the previous session, showing strong momentum.